Celtic striker Kenny Miller will fight for the right to partner Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink after admitting he needs first-team football to justify his place in the Scotland team.

The 27-year-old former Hibernian, Wolves and Rangers frontman has been a key player of late in the national team, but the change of head coach from Walter Smith to Alex McLeish means he has a new man to impress.

Miller did start against Hibernian on Saturday, but he has mostly been employed as a substitute this season.

The free transfer signing from Molineux said: "I want to keep my place in the national team and, if I'm not playing regularly, I'll not get that.

"I'm not happy to be sitting on the bench or in the stand."

Miller was recently the subject of interest from Newcastle, whose manager Glenn Roeder confirmed the forward was a player he considered moving for in January.

With the likes of Craig Beattie, Maciej Zurawski and Derek Riordan also at Celtic, and competing to partner first-choice frontman Vennegoor of Hesselink, Miller's chances may continue to be limited over the remaining months of the season.

He said: "I've not played too much football recently and that's something I'm not too happy about, to be honest."

Miller, who has netted three Champions League goals this season, added: "This is a great place to work. But I didn't come here to sit and watch games."

Meanwhile, Miller's new team-mate Paul Hartley will miss two matches next month through suspension after passing the disciplinary points barrier.

The 30-year-old's booking in the 1-0 win over Hibernian means he will miss the home matches against Dunfermline on March 3 and the Old Firm clash against Rangers on March 11th.